Our History

Our Goals

Outreach

Students Taking Active Reflective Roles (STARR)

STARR meets every Friday from 3 to 5 p.m. to engage students in reflective service throughout the greater Indianapolis community. No long-term commitment is required.

Says one student of the experience: “I have grown in awareness of social issues and am inspired to become more actively involved by donating and volunteering at more places like the ones we visit in STARR.”

Alternative Break

These service-immersion experiences, offered during each Fall Break, Spring Break, and in May, are designed to provide meaningful experiences for students who want to immerse themselves in different cultures and serve those in need. They include travel to under-served communities in places like Appalachia, New Mexico, Puerto Rico, and Guatemala.

Led by the university's student Alternative Break (AB) board and accompanied by faculty/staff advisors, the goal for these experiences is to open the eyes of students to global needs and challenges, empowering them to become transformational leaders for social change.

One participant reported: “After participating in AB, I am more resilient than I give myself credit for and realized when placed in difficult situations, I can persevere. I have never felt as connected to humanity as I did when I was working in Nicaragua beside the people and I want to continue this work by serving in the Indianapolis community around Marian University."

Rising Social Justice Retreat

A Catholic Social Teaching based retreat which includes direct service, student witness talks, prayer, reflection, small group discussion, hunger banquet, and social justice stations of the cross throughout downtown Indianapolis.

Post Graduate Service Fair

Don’t know what to do after Marian? Do you want to serve those in need? Do you want to get important experience relevant to your career path? The Post-Graduate Service Fair connects current students with volunteer programs. This program is for all ages, majors; for the curious, the interested, and the passionate.

Days of Service

First Day of Service: Incoming freshman class/new students are invited to serve in Indianapolis community followed by small group reflection. 152 students served a combined 456 hours in 2014.

“This was a great mix of work and time to learn more about each other and the community.”
“This service experience provided me the chance to learn more about those in need and improved my knowledge of food banks."

MLK Day of Service: Day of reflection and service on MLK Jr. Day. Students, faculty and staff invited to reflect on MLK Jr’s legacy and how we can address civil rights in 2015.

“I am so grateful to have found other students who are passionate about global poverty issues and to have an avenue to express my passion as well as a place to be effective in raising social justice awareness amongst other young adults—to help others understand that faith involves action for justice,” Claire Husting, Freshman, Global Studies major and CRS Ambassador.

Jeanne Hildalgo

Campus Minister
We respond to what God has done in our lives by caring for others.

Indy Urban Plunge

A 36 hour “plunge” into the city of Indianapolis during which students explore the root causes of poverty, converse with local leaders working to alleviate poverty, and engage in direct service.“The Urban plunge exposed me to social issues of which I was previously unaware, such as the levels of homelessness and especially hunger, right in our own city.”

“I would recommend the plunge to a friend because it’s important for people as college students and Christians to learn to help others. It’s vital for faith and crucial for social understanding.”